This is my guess. Take it for what its worth (2 cents). You could have a busted T case shifter. It could have gotten broken if you left it in while removing/installing. Theres a cast collar on the shifter thats kinda fragile. If the tcase was in neutral when it broke...

Mine broke on the trail once, but luckily it broke in 4 Hi so I was able to get hme and fix it.

99 Gen 2.5, fixing blown head gasket
89 SWB- 33's, ARB Front locker, SR rear locker/axle, SR F brakes, winch, WST Offroad Armor all Around, 2.85 Aussie T-case Gears (SOLD)
Sold: (2) 95 SR's, 86 SWB, 90LWB, 91 LWB
-Can Change a timing belt in my sleep..